Touring Santa Fe: Guided and mapped tours for the walker and the driver

Todos Santos Chocolatier in Downtown Santa Fe
Photo Copyright: Elizabeth R Rose

My favorite way to see Santa Fe is on foot. Travelers to Santa Fe are strapping on their walking shoes and hitting the streets to experience the cuisine, culture and charm of this southwestern city. Listed below is a sampling of Santa Fe’s dedicated walking tours highlighting the best of this pedestrian-friendly destination: 

Chocolate Lover’s Odyssey

For visitors with a sweet tooth, the Santa Fe Chocolate Trail offers an array of edible delights, featuring four chocolate shops equipped with dark chocolate truffles, fudge, bon bons, Mayan chocolate elixirs and more. Travelers can follow the trail as it winds through the heart of historic Santa Fe, showcasing the city's rich history with cacao. Artisanal chocolate shops on the trail include The Chocolate Smith, Todos Santos, Kakawa Chocolate House and CG Higgins Confections and more. Visit www.santafe.org for more information.

Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail

New Mexico holds the honor as the green chile capital of the world – and chiles aren’t just an ingredient in this city, but a way of life. The green chile cheeseburger has been a staple on menus around the state since the middle of the last century and with the vast amount of restaurants offering this beloved dish, visitors can follow the state’s map to find all of the outstanding green chile cheeseburger restaurants, cafes, drive-ins and joints. Visit www.newmexico.org/green-chile-cheeseburger for more information.

Coffee Lover's Tour

Visitors and locals alike can take a tour of Santa Fe’s top cafes and roasting houses and find plenty of places to sit back, relax and enjoy a cup of Joe. Travelers who participate will have the opportunity to chat with local baristas and taste their way through several different styles and kinds of espresso and coffee, with great views for people-watching along the way. Visit www.santafe.org for more information.

New Deal Art Legacy Tour

When the Great Depression took place in the 1930s, New Mexico was able to stay afloat, thanks largely to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, which employed at least 167 New Mexico artists who produced more than 1,000 creative works across the state. Improvements were made to courthouses, city halls, libraries and schools, among others. The Legacy Tour allows visitors to take a deeper look into the aftermath of the New Deal and its effect on New Mexico and Santa Fe specifically. Visit www.santafe.org for more information.

Literary Landmarks Tour

In the early 1900s, Santa Fe was home to a literary colony inspired by the natural landscape and famous for producing an array of books, essays and poems.  Through this Santa Fe tour, visitors can experience the homes of these writers and learn more about the legacy of Santa Fe’s golden literary era. Visit www.santafe.org for additional information.

New Mexico Food Tours

Foodies can get the most of Santa Fe’s culinary scene with New Mexico Food Tours, which offer walking food tours throughout the heart of historic downtown Santa Fe. Demonstrations, samples and stories make these tours an ideal way to explore one of the Southwest’s greatest destinations. Advance purchase is required and tickets start around $65. Visit www.santafeschoolofcooking.com and www.foodtournewmexico.com  for additional information,

Santa Fe Tour Guides

For travelers seeking to get the most out of their stay, it helps to get professional advice from the tour operators of Santa Fe Tour Guides. The 22 professional tour operators specialize in the field of cultural tourism throughout Northern New Mexico and have spent years learning and sharing the many ins and outs of Santa Fe and the Southwest. Some of the group’s most popular areas of exploration include the land of O’Keeffe, the ghosts of Santa Fe, the Rocky Mountain outdoors surrounding the city and the area’s distinctive history. Visit www.santafetourguides.org for more information.

Please visit www.santafe.org for additional information on packages, saving specials and all Santa Fe has to offer visitors.

Information courtesy: Santa Fe CVB